Its April.   That means its Autism Awareness Month.  Tomorrow, April 2nd, is World Autism Day.

Unfortunately, our skies and windows won’t be lit up nearly as blue this year.  From coast to coast and sea to sea, people are sheltered at home, while we navigate this “thing called COVID-19.

And just as tens of thousands of other events have been cancelled or postponed indefinitely, the annual celebration of neurodiversity as it presents as Autism has been bumped out of newspapers, social media and news feeds.

Well, for those of you passionate about autism, we at PediaStaff have found a few ways you can still celebrate and participate in Autism Awareness Day and Month – even from home:

Wear Blue!
And Post a Selfie to Social Media with the Hashtag #worldautismawarenessday

Add Your Voice to the Gigantic Autism Billboard
Imagine you could have a gigantic billboard upon which you could share just one statement with the world, metaphorically “distilling” your lived autistic experiences into a nugget of wisdom that could impact others.   The campaign, led by WeTheParents.org, will continue throughout the month of April, and drawn wonderful and diverse responses that highlight the far-reaching effects of neurodiversity. Just visit the online Virtual Billboard at We The Parents, and add your entry in the comments of the blog post.

‘Fancy Nancy,’ ‘Sesame Street’ To Air Autism-Themed Episodes” 
A pair of children’s television shows are set to highlight the experiences of those with autism.  The Disney Junior series “Fancy Nancy” and HBO’s “Sesame Street” will both air episodes this week centered around characters with the developmental disorder.  The shows come as part of a broad annual effort to increase autism awareness during the month of April.

Participate in a Virtual Walk for Autism
Follow the Google Search link above to find a Virtual Run/Walk near (or not near!) you!

Attend the Autism Awareness Online Concert w/ Brady Rymer!
Brady and the Band have teamed up with Celebrate the Children School to host a Virtual Facebook LIVE Concert! Join Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could on Thursday, April 2 at 11am as we Light It Up Blue to Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day! You can put in requests and send questions and shout-outs to Brady and Friends LIVE throughout the show! So put on your favorite blue outfit and get ready to rock for Autism!

Virtual Blow Bubbles for Autism
Each year, during the month of April, the Dennis Township School District hosts Blow Bubbles for Autism. Unfortunately due to school closure, we are unable to hold this event at our schools so we are encouraging families to hold their own bubble blowing event at home or in the backyard. The Dennis Township School District Facebook page will post a space for families to share their pics as well as their signs saying “I blow bubbles because….”Please join us in celebrating World Autism Day.